I was born on the stroke of twelve, between the 30th and 31st of July, 1751. To some I am the foremost keyboard player in Europe but to others, I am the overlooked sister of a genius. The matter is complicated. I write music for the bottom drawer while living in Salzburg with my dear Mama. Papa is in Rome with Wolfie to enshrine my brother's talents and in the year, 1770, I am destined for marriage, not a career. Maria Anna Walburga Ignatia Mozart - Nannerl for short.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Fear Itself

Everyone has something to hide or at least thinks so, which is much the same. Mine is fear itself. I am not afraid of spiders but I am of a pair of hands that hides under my bed at night, waiting to grab hold of my ankles as I leap onto my coverlet. I have perfected the art of the leap, making sure that the lower part of me is in the air when I dive, out of reach from this headless, bodyless mannikin. Since I am always telling Wolfie I am fearless, I am afraid he will see me flying and my secret will be out. N.